Irish Gifted Academy

Hey IGA Family!

What an amazing week we’ve had! Our students and staff came together to celebrate the 100th day of school with incredible creativity and enthusiasm. From dressing up as if we were 100 years old to engaging in a variety of STEAM activities, the day was packed with fun and memorable learning experiences.

Our seventh and eighth-grade students, under the leadership and guidance of Ms. Mulkey, showcased their critical thinking and communication skills by participating in a mock trial. They operated on both the prosecution and defense, addressing a given text, and worked diligently to convince a jury through research and evidence. This event was made even more special by the participation of stakeholders from outside the classroom who served as jury members. It was an incredible experience that brought nearly all ELA standards to life in a memorable and meaningful way.

We also want to take a moment to celebrate our district spelling bee winners! Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we are so proud of their achievements. Congratulations to our school level winners: Aria Turner, Camden Guyton, Braylen Lewis, and Jaiden Blackshear. A special congratulations to Jaiden Blackshear, our Dublin City Schools District Spelling Bee Champion for the second year in a row! Also congratulations to Camden Guyton who won 2nd place for our Dublin City Schools District Spelling Bee! These two students will represent the IGA and DCS well! We are so proud of you!

Additionally, a huge shout-out to our students and staff connected to Susie Dasher Elementary as their base school. Along with our Susie Dasher family, these students and staff have received recognition for being in the top 5% of Title I schools across the state of Georgia! This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects the dedication of our entire district community. Please see the insert below for more details on this outstanding recognition.

As we move into the week ahead, we are closely monitoring the weather and will provide updates as soon as possible. Please take the necessary precautions to prepare for the cold temperatures and potential weather changes.

Finally, I want to remind everyone about the importance of reading with your child every day. Sharing a book together builds language skills, fosters imagination, and strengthens the bond between you and your child. Let’s continue to make reading a daily habit in every household.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school a place of learning, innovation, and unforgettable memories.

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

Mr. Taylor

Five Houses.....One IGA #Family

We are proud to announce that Susie Dasher Elementary School has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as a Title I Reward School, a prestigious honor awarded to schools that rank among the top 5% of all Title I schools statewide. This award and recognition is also being celebrated by the Irish Gifted Academy as we, as a program, have teachers and students who are attached to Susie Dasher Elementary as their base school. These teachers' and students' hard work, resilience, and tenacity contributed to this accolade through their test scores and other data in conjunction our Susie Dasher family. Please join us in celebrating the entire Susie Dasher family!

This recognition reflects the significant progress Susie Dasher Elementary, and those attached to Susie Dasher Elementary from the Irish Gifted Academy, have made in improving the academic performance of all students. As the award celebrates Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of the all-students group over the most recent two years on statewide assessments.

This distinction is not only a celebration of the school’s success but also a testament to the strength of the Dublin City Schools community. Together, across each campus, we continue to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in education and a relentless focus on mastery of the curriculum.

Join us in congratulating our Susie Dasher Elementary family on both campuses for this well-deserved honor and recognition!

If you are wondering which school serves as your student's base school, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. No matter the campus, we are all one DCS family!

We're fortunate to have AMAZING community partners, like the Laurens County Library, who are beginning a new literacy club for families with children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Funded by a Dollar General literacy grant, Launching Into Literacy is designed to encourage reading and family engagement.

When families sign up, they'll receive:

• 2 to 3 books,
• Discussion questions and a craft activity for each book,
• Necessary craft supplies, and
• A caregiver guide with quick tips and activities to nurture literacy development!

All at NO COST!

Wondering how your family can participate? Visit the library for more information!

Calling all students from Dublin City Schools! Get ready to shine at the Irish Day of Pageants!

Presented by our Dublin High School Cheerleaders, it’s happening on Saturday, January 25th in the DHS Auditorium.

Whether you're stepping into the spotlight for the Mister & Misses Crowning or showcasing your career aspirations, there’s a category for everyone, including:

• Pageant/Formal
• Career/Professional
• Most Photogenic
• People’s Choice

• Monday, January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday for All DCS Students and Staff
• Tuesday, January 21st: Miss St. Patrick’s Information Session at 1:00 PM in the DHS Auditorium
• Tuesday, January 21st: Dublin High School Basketball HOME vs Dodge County High School {JV Boys at 4:30 PM; Varsity Girls at 6:00 PM; Varsity Boys at 7:30 PM}
• Wednesday, January 22nd: Irish Gifted Academy’s Local School Governance Team at 4:00 PM in the IGA Elementary Cafeteria
• Wednesday, January 22nd: Dublin High School Football Banquet {Dinner at 6:00 PM; Awards at 7:00 PM}
• Thursday, January 23rd: Dublin High School Wrestling AWAY @ West Laurens High School for County Championship
• Friday, January 24th: Dublin High School Wrestling AWAY @ Toombs County High School
• Friday, January 24th: Dublin High School Basketball HOME vs East Laurens High School {JV Girls at 3:00 PM; JV Boys at 4:30 PM; Varsity Girls at 6:00 PM; Varsity Boys at 7:30 PM}
• Saturday, January 25th: Dublin High School Wrestling AWAY @ Toombs County High School
• Monday, January 27th: Dublin City Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 PM
• Tuesday, January 28th: Irish Gifted Academy’s Parent Portal and ParentSquare Training from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM in the IGA Elementary Cafeteria
• Tuesday, January 28th: Dublin High School Basketball HOME vs Jefferson County High School {JV Boys at 4:30 PM; Varsity Girls at 6:00 PM; Varsity Boys at 7:30 PM}
• Tuesday, January 28th: Homestead Exemption Public Hearing at 6:00 PM in the Dublin High School Auditorium
• Friday, January 31st: Irish Gifted Academy Elementary Snow Day
• Friday, January 31st: Dublin High School Basketball AWAY @ Wheeler County High School {Varsity Girls at 6:00 PM; Varsity Boys at 7:30 PM}

Curious about our Local School Governance Team, or how you can become more involved with the Irish Gifted Academy and Dublin City Schools? Click this link to find out more about our LSGT teams, meeting agendas, and view upcoming dates on our district website --> https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4059

If you are able to assist us in any of the below capacities, please reach out to Mr. Taylor at matt.taylor@dcsirish.com. We are so grateful for the village we have!

• Assist with Check In / Check Out Process for Books in Our Reading Corner
• Assist with Interior Painting / Decor

Our five houses are modeled after those used at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta #rcainspired Visit https://rcahousesystem.com/ for more information regarding houses, more information about each, and ways to access house merchandise.

Isibindi — House of Courage — Language (Zulu) — Country (South Africa) — Animal (Lion)
Altruismo — House of Givers — Language (Portuguese) — Country (Brazil) — Animal (Snake)
Amistad — House of Friendship — Language (Spanish) — Country (Mexico) — Animal (Peacock)
Reveur — House of Dreamers — Language (French) — Country (France) — Animal (Wolf)

Nukumori -- House of Kindness -- Language (Japanese) -- Country (Japan) -- Animal (Dragon)

Email: matt.taylor@dcsirish.com
Website: https://iga.dcs.irish/en-US
Location: 1951 Hillcrest Parkway, Dublin, GA, USA
Phone: 478-353-8450
Facebook: facebook.com/irishgiftedacademy